Educating Danielle

by Karen E. Lea

Part Thirteen

 

Chapter Fifty Six

The next morning we rose early and readied ourselves to go and meet Danielle at the driving school. After a light breakfast, we showered and dressed. I put on a black skirt, three quarter sleeve blouse and three inch black sandals. Laura had a black skirt and a white sleeveless knitted top with a cowl neck. She finished it off with shoes with a three-inch heel. Our plan was to go shopping at Chatswood after the meeting with Danielle.

With an easy run in Saturday morning traffic, we arrived a couple of minutes early. We stepped from the car while we waited for Danielle. Within a few minutes a Chrysler Voyager pulled up followed by a red Mercedes CLK320 convertible. I recognised Sal at the wheel of the Mercedes.

The door of the Voyager slid open and Sam stepped out. I inwardly groaned. He looked around while a whole lot of people I didn't know exited the van. He looked at the Range Rover and a look of recognition passed over his face, and called out, "Jeff around?"

I shook my head. He walked over, "This is his car isn't?"

"Yes." Laura replied, "And who might you be?"

"What's with Jeff and chicks, he surrounds himself with them. I'm Sam gorgeous, who are you?"

"Jeff's fiancée, Laura. This is his sister Karen."

I held my breath, would he recognise me. He barely glanced in my direction, "How you doing, anyway, where's my babe?"

"If you referring to Jeff's daughter Danielle, she's not with us…"

"Jesus Christ… Why the fuck not, that was the whole point of today."

"If you'll calm down for a minute and let me finish, she will be here any minute. And if you wouldn't mind, please watch the language."

"Okay fellas, no swearing." He turned and told the group.

The look on Laura's face, I'm sure she wanted to strangle him on the spot. I'm glad she took charge; I wasn't game to open my mouth. If I had known Sam and a three-ring circus were going to turn up, I would have come as Jeff.

Before any more could be said, a Holden Caprice stretch limo entered the car park and glided to a stop. The chauffeur stepped from the car and walked around to the rear passenger door. The other front seat passenger stepped out, a young guy about nineteen, six six, well built, surveyed the group from behind mirrored sunglasses. He nodded to the chauffeur who then opened the door.

Danielle was the first out. She was her normal stunning self; she certainly got the young blokes attention. Sam eyed the young man with the mirrored glasses, I'm sure he wanted to rush over to Danielle, but thought better of it. The chauffeur assisted Kim, then Marcie and a little girl about six or seven. The little girl attached herself to Danielle who was surveying the group of strangers, then her eyes rested on us, "Mum, Aunt Karen." She came and greeted us, hugging us both to death, Kim and Marcie in her wake. We all greeted each other.

"This is Marcie's daughter Tina." Danielle introduced.

"Hi Tina." We chorused. She went all shy.

Sam stood there with his mouth open, I'm sure he wanted to interrupt, but wasn't game to. Finally, he had the courage to approach, with one eye on the young guy from the limo.

"Morning ladies, I'm Sam."

Laura took charge again, "Well Sam, you know Danielle, this is Lady Carrington, her daughter Marcie and her granddaughter Tina."

"Charmed I'm sure." he said dismissively, "This is Sal, my business partner, Jeremy Dines, director of the video, these are the boys, Justin, Matthew, Ali and James. This is Jeremy's assistant...um…Jenny I think and James's squeeze, Anna."

Sam mopped his brow. We all nodded to each other. I hope Jeremy doesn't remember me; we worked together a long time ago.

"Well boys, this is the star, after yourselves of course." Sam said motioning to Danielle.

Before anyone could answer, a large red haired man strode from the office. "I'm sorry folks, you cannae park here, this be private property." He said in a broad Scots accent.

Sam spun to the speaker; "Yeah…um… we have an appointment with Robert… Robert McLeod."

"That be me."

"Sam, Sam Goldstein, we spoke on the phone."

"Sorry about that, you have a wee lassie in need of evaluation and training."

"This is her." Sam said singling out Danielle.

"Oh aye, hello." He said shaking hands with Danielle. "Do you have any experience in driving anything?"

"I've moved the Range Rover around at home sometimes." She said pointing at the Rover.

"Fine, fine. Would it be possible to use this vehicle?"

I took the keys from my handbag and handed them to Danielle.

"Fine, fine. We'll do a couple of circuits in the Range Rover, then we will progress to the Mercedes. I'd appreciate though if you don't drive in those shoes."

Everybody stared at Danielle's feet encased in four-inch stilettos. "I have some flats in the limo." The chauffer went to the boot of the limo, removed a steamer chair and a pair of shoes, brought them over to Danielle and she changed shoes. "Thank you Thomas."

The chauffeur tipped his hat and smiled.

"Fine, fine. Let's go."

They climbed in to the Rover; Danielle adjusted the seat, put on her seatbelt and started the engine. She backed from the space, then accelerated out of the car park on to the training circuit, vanishing from view. I didn't realise she had so much confidence in driving.

We girls chatted amongst ourselves; they were going shopping to Chatswood afterwards. We told them that was our plan as well.

Kim suggested, "Come with us in the limo, young Gavin can follow in your car."

We agreed to the plan.

It was becoming uncomfortable being scrutinised by the group of young guys, luckily, for me, not Laura, she was getting more than her fair share of attention. Her F cup breasts are not easily hidden and the knitted top she was wearing moulded to their shape like a second skin. The short skirt and heels just made the package more appealing. The young guys from the group were standing around staring, while Laura tried to ignore them.

The director, Jeremy came over and spoke, "Hi, is Jeff coming today?"

"Hi, No, afraid not, I'm his sister Karen." I replied shaking the proffered hand.

"Thought there was a family resemblance. I'm Jeremy Dines, I worked with Jeff many years ago."

"Oh, okay. This is Jeff's fiancée Laura." I replied.

"How do you do."

"Fine thanks." Laura replied.

"Not fine, fine." he asked.

"Says it a lot doesn't he?" We laughed.

"Tell Jeff I'll catch up with him."

"We will."

Danielle drove up in the Rover and parked. Robert stepped out and spoke, "I think there's been a wee mistake. I suppose to be training a girl who's never driven before."

"She hasn't." Laura replied.

"Well she could do the licence test now and pass."

Laura and I looked at each other.

"I'll take her out in the Mercedes, just to acclimatise her to it, we'll be finished in half an hour." They climbed in to the convertible and drove off.

"Well that was a waste of money." Sam lamented.

"We had to do it for insurance." Sal shrugged.

While we waited, Kim led us away from the group, where we could talk. "Now you two, wedding plans."

"We've been too busy to think about it." I lamented.

Nonsense. I'm going to make a deal you can't refuse. Have the wedding at my house."

Both our jaws dropped. "Kim, we couldn't do that. No way." Laura said aghast.

"Don't talk rubbish, it will be my wedding present."

"No, no I just couldn't, I...I..." Laura stuttered.

"Laura. Tell me why?" Kim asked. Laura's mouth just opened and closed. "Is it because of who I am?"

"No, of course not...yes…I…"

"Laura. Danielle has told me about your life and how you have made the best of everything, even when things were really tough. I wasn't always rich with a title and I can understand where you're coming from. Look, I'm taking no argument on this, unless you come up with a better plan."

"It's pretty hard to top." I answered.

Kim smiled, "Laura, we'll get together and sort the issues, I promise."

"Um… Tina, I thought Marcie had one child?" I asked.

"Tina is Timmy. He's had a lot of fun with Danielle this week. She's adorable isn't he?"

"Certainly is, Um…Danielle didn't push this did she?" Laura asked.

"No, no, certainly not. Timmy was very persistent about being made up again. She was very worried, so she came to me. First it was the makeup, then he wanted to wear a dress like Danielle. I saw no harm and here he is."

At that moment, Danielle pulled up in the red Benz. She climbed from the car, the chauffeur rushed over to assist, "Thank you Thomas."

"A pleasure miss."

Robert spoke to Sam, "She be not a problem, perfect for what you need to do. I'll be ten minutes and ye can take the paperwork with you."

"Great, great. Come on honey, I'll introduce you to the boys."

"I'll change my shoes first." She walked to the chair and changed back in to the stilettos.

Sam then led her to the boys while the chauffeur put the chair away. He started with a tall boy, nearly six foot. Matthew was dark haired, earring, probably the best looking of this lot. They exchanged hellos. The next was James, blonde and five eleven, his girlfriend firmly attached. She obviously considered Danielle a threat going by the body language. Danielle nodded to both of them.

The next was Ali, he looked of Middle Eastern appearance, oversized jacket and shorts, baseball cap on backwards, constantly moving from foot to foot, he couldn't keep still. "Hiya babe." He said chewing gum.

"My name is Danielle."

"What ever you say babe."

Danielle just stepped to the next boy, ignoring him. Justin was well over six foot, close cropped hair and a goatee beard. He said, "Hi."

"Hi." Danielle nodded.

Sam moved to Jeremy and his assistant Jenny. He shook her hand. "Hi, I worked with your father many years ago, a nice bloke."

"Yes he is. Nice to meet you."

"Well Sam, you said you had a stunner, now I believe you."

Danielle looked through lowered lashes, blushing.

"Well this is coming together nicely." Sam said rubbing his hands together.

"Can we go now Auntie Dani?" Tina asked.

"I think so, we'll see you in a fortnight." Laura said taking charge again.

We quickly said goodbye. I gave the keys to Gavin for the Rover and we all elegantly as possible clambered in to the limo. We laughed and giggled all the way to Chatswood shops.

The reason Danielle drove so well was that Thomas had been giving her driving lessons in a 'S' class Benz during the week. Gavin was one of Kim's nephews and playing bodyguard appealed to his sense of humour.

"He had Sam bluffed." I giggled.

 

§§§

 

The group watched the limo leave, turn left on to the main road and speed towards Chatswood.

"Stuck up bitch." Ali spat.

"Hey, don't knock it, that stuck up bitch is going to pull in a heap of money for us." Sam answered crossing his fingers behind his back. Danielle's contract had blown the budget. It took him a while, but now he realised his mistake, this just had to work.

"Stuck up or not, she's one good looking babe. I bags first." Matthew answered.

"In your dreams." Justin replied.

"Hey hey guys, mixed company." Sal admonished.

The others agreed on Matthews's judgement. James's girlfriend elbowed him for agreeing. Robert bought the paperwork out, exchanged it for a cheque from Sal and wished them a good day. The group climbed back in to the Voyager.

Sal pulled Sam aside. "I don't know how I got involved in this shit, a bloody big black hole that sucks money. These pricks with no manners. I'll tell you what Sam, things had better get better because I'm thinking of cutting my losses."

"Sal. Calm down will ya. The guys go in to the studio this week to cut the single, next week we do the video. Week three we hit the market. Week four we will be rolling in it."

"I bloody hope so, the only person so far is the girl and it's my money she's rolling in."

"She isn't yet, she hasn't been paid."

"The woman she turned up with today, Lady Carrington. You know who she is, don't you?"

"Lord Carrington's wife, so?"

"The largest media owner in Australia and she and her family are friends with them. She was in the paper with them last Sunday."

"So bloody what."

Sal let out a huge sigh, "So what, I'll tell you so what, friends in high places, that's bloody what. Makes us look like paupers. I think you underestimated her and Jeff in all this and that aside, I don't know how I got talked in to this madness."

"Hey, I've done this heaps of times, always made money."

"So you keep telling me. Tell me again Sam, why don't you have any capital in this?"

"I've told you, it's tied up at the moment. Listen I want this to succeed as much as you do, and it will, trust me."

"Tell you one thing Sam," Sal said as he walked towards the Benz, "It fucking better succeed."

"See you Wednesday when they put the single down." Sam said as climbed in to the Voyager.

"With my cheque book no doubt." Sal retorted.

Sam furrowed his brow as Jeremy started the engine and headed back to Sydney. He didn't need a nervous backer at this stage of the game, without Sal's capital, he couldn't pay for a sandwich, let alone anything else.

Sal followed the Voyager deep in thought. Sam hadn't put one cent up yet, Sal had written cheque after cheque and he was quite aware he had to spend money to make money, but this was beyond the pale. Sam seemed to think the girl was the answer to their prayers. She definitely was pretty enough. But Sam's reluctance to part with money rubbed Sal, so much for fifty fifty. Sal wasn't poor, and Sam had caught him up in the glitz and glamour of being a producer. After some thought; Sal decided a few checks were in order. Something he should have done in the first place.

 

§§§

 

Kim told us she hoped that Danielle never got rich enough to have servants. Hers would leave in a moment to work for her. In fact, she has charmed anyone coming into contact with her.

The limo glided to a stop outside the larger of the two centres in Chatswood. We all clambered out and headed for a ladies room, then a coffee shop for morning tea. Kim had given instructions to Thomas, that he wouldn't be needed for a few hours.

We shopped for a couple of hours, then went for lunch at a restaurant to rest our weary feet. Tina hadn't left Danielle's side, even telling a shop assistant that Danielle was her pretend mummy.

Gavin followed us around and put to good use carrying shopping bags. By four o clock we were all shopped out. Danielle had bought a couple of outfits, using her own money. Saying goodbye to everybody and hugging Danielle, Gavin led us out to the Rover in the car park. We thanked him and he rushed back to the others.

We headed for home, "Quite a day." I said.

"Danielle looked happy and radiant. It was good to see her, I feel lost without her at home." Laura answered.

"Me too, can't wait to have her at home again. What did you think of the group?"

"Not much and if Sam calls me gorgeous again, I'll rip his throat out where he stands."

"I'll thought you were going to do it today."

"Soon as he opened his mouth, I disliked him."

"Well, once the video's over, we can see the back of him and his bunch of misfits."

 

§§§

 

The limo headed back to the city. There was animated conversation amongst the occupants about the day. Tina had fallen asleep lying up against Danielle.

"Mum. Karen and Laura, are they an item?" Marcie asked.

"Why do you ask?" Kim asked. Danielle was trying to stifle a giggle.

"Well they seem more than good friends, I'm sure they held hands at lunch today."

Kim looked at Danielle, Danielle nodded, "No harm I guess, Karen would never deny it if confronted."

Kim thought for a moment, "Laura is Danielle's mum."

"I know that, I'm sorry Danielle, I am so curious."

"That's okay." She smiled.

Kim continued, "Karen isn't exactly Danielle's aunt."

"So, close friends can be called aunts."

"Karen is my dad, she's a guy." Danielle said softly.

"Curiosity settled?" Kim asked looking at Marcie's disbelieving face.

She nodded her head slowly. "Sex change?"

"Um no. She's a cross dresser… transvestite." Danielle answered. Marcie's face had a look of bewilderment.

"But she…he looks so good."

"No point going out dressed looking like a guy in a dress. Sort of defeats the purpose." Danielle said.

"I just realised, this makes Timmy one too."

"It's not a illness." Danielle stated.

"I never meant that…I mean you read about these things, never realising the implications or they're real people. Does Timmy know what he is?"

"He would have feelings he doesn't understand."

"Oh. I'm glad I bought this up. But why does Karen…you know…out and about today?"

"Karen goes about her business, she doesn't go out to shock, just to be part of society. The female part of her just wants to blend, just as much as the male part does."

"Marcie dear, we'll talk later, but for the moment, we'll just leave it at that. I consider Karen a friend, so please keep this to yourself." Marcie nodded.

The rest of the trip was spent discussing their purchases.

 

§§§

 

We awoke Sunday morning; we were really missing Danielle's presence in the house. Laura went to get the Sunday papers from the street as I was still in Karen mode and didn't want to show myself to the neighbours. It was one thing to drive down the street dressed; I didn't think a personal appearance at the front gate was needed.

I had the table set when she walked in with the papers. Unwrapping the Telegraph as I sat at the table, I started at the society pages. Danielle and the Carrington's again had their picture, this time an evening at the Wharf theatre, opening night for a play. Meanwhile Laura had opened the Herald and was checking the society pages; there was an intake of breath.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

She turned the paper to me and pointed, there was a photo of us at the makeup launch, with a caption that read 'Millionaire makeup artist and photographic studio owner Jeff Williams with his fiancée Laura Marsden.'

"Shit. Excuse the French."

"I thought you said nobody knew about you being a millionaire."

"Just a media guess, I guess… Nice photo though and hey, they got our names right."

We finished reading the papers and eating our breakfast. Then the phone calls started, three of the girls from Laura's work rang, then her sister, all had seen the paper.

By the time evening rolled around, she had had two more phone calls.

Chapter Fifty Seven

Monday morning, I had barely sat down, when Cindy knocked at the door.

"Hey boss."

"Hi Cindy."

"Aren't me and Charlene good enough?"

"Good morning Cindy. I had a good weekend too, thank you for asking."

She threw a magazine on my desk, "The question still stands."

My eyes followed her finger to the magazine. It was the article of the wedding, pacifically she was pointing to the photo with Karen, Laura and Danielle in it.

"You work here don't you, I employ the best." I said looking up at her.

"Not good enough for this gig." She replied stabbing the page with her finger.

"It was a personal summons, otherwise, yes you or Charlene could have had the job."

"Who is this Karen? Daniel and Laura I recognise."

"Um… My sister."

"How does your sister rate a job like that… hang on a cotton picking minute, you don't have a sister, you told me once you only had brothers."

I stared at the magazine. Bugger.

"Hey boss, did you hear me?"

"Yes."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"You're not going to tell are you?" I stared at her, hoping she would go away. "Who this Karen bitch is."

"She's not a bitch. Who have you discussed this with?" I asked.

"We've all discussed it, most of last week. It irked me the most, I had to… confront you." Cindy picked up the magazine and studied the photograph again, looked at me, furrowed her brow, "It's you isn't it?"

After a moments thought, I gave a sheepish smile. "Afraid so."

She plonked herself in the guest chair, "Sorry boss, if I knew it was you, I would have never started this little crusade, I was so… I thought you were hiring people behind our backs."

"Cindy, I've always been fair to everybody. I'm a little upset you didn't talk to me first, but… I guess I will have to talk to everybody now."

"But Lady Carrington hired you, she knows this person?"

"Lady Carrington knows me as both, it wasn't actually a paying job. Like I said it was a summons, Karen to attend."

"Laura and Daniel, they must know, going by this photo?"

"Yep. I was even dressed as Karen when I proposed. They met Karen before they met Jeff."

"Wow. I don't believe this, how come we've never picked up on this before?"

"Us…um…I, meaning cross dressers, are very careful people, when we get caught though, it's usually exciting stuff. Not unlike this moment in time."

"Are you going to tell the others?"

"I didn't know I had a choice not to, someone has been running around winding them up, I think they're owed an explanation… so… I guess I will."

"I'll get back to work, leave you to it."

"Gee…Thanks."

Cindy left the room and I let out a huge sigh. I needed to talk to someone. I called home and told Laura what had transpired. She listened without comment, when I had finished, she spoke, "Are you going to tell them?"

"I guess."

"When you do, I'll be standing there with you, promise."

"You don't have to…"

"I want to, it's the least I can do."

We kept telling each other "Love you." Trying not to be the one to hang up. Finally I did, Kelly was at the door waving.

"Yes Kelly."

"I need a signature please," she said smiling. "Must be fun to be in love?"

"Sure is." I replied signing the document.

After a fairly quiet day, mainly due to Kelly intercepting problems before they got to me, I decided on an early mark. I drove home deep in thought, how to break the news to the rest of the staff. I wanted to do it myself, Cindy could be ham fisted at times and I didn't want her putting her spin on it, no matter how much she thought she understood.

Laura met me at the garage, after a hug and a kiss we entered the house.

"When are you going to tell them?" Laura asked.

"I thought tomorrow morning, get it out of the way."

"Come with me, I've got a plan."

I followed her to the bedroom; laid out on the bed was a matching grey skirt and jacket with a cream blouse. I had bought it a while ago and had never worn it. I looked at Laura.

"Go as Karen, show them. I'm not sure what female managing directors wear to work, but I think this outfit works." I just stared at her with my 'are you out of your mind look'.

"Think about this, you go in looking like you normally do and say I dress as a woman, what are they going to think?"

I shrugged. She was right; they would think a guy in a dress, hairy legs and so on, despite seeing the magazine.

"But you go in looking like a million dollars, with a really good looking babe on your arm, that's me by the way…"

I burst out laughing. She had a point. Before I could think of a reply the phone rang, I picked it up from the bedside table, "Hello."

"Jeff. Tim … thank god." Tim was the managing director of a real estate agent at Port Macquarie, a holiday destination three hundred and fifty kilometres north of Sydney; I had a lot of properties, mainly holiday units on the books with him. "Listen I've had some hard-nosed bitch querying some invoices for your properties up here in Port. Been giving me a hard time."

"Oh right. What's her name?"

"Got it here somewhere…um Laura…Laura Marsden. Look Jeff, we've always done the right thing, but she's querying everything."

"Like what?"

"You know, receipts and stuff, we've always had like a gentleman's agreement."

"Tim, things change. Hang on and I'll put the hard-nosed bitch on who I might add is also my fiancée…" I handed the phone to Laura with a smile, who made some comments, then hung up.

"What a snivelling prick. He is blatantly ripping us off and now he wants me to forget it."

"What are you going to do?"

"Throw all the work out to the market, he can bid on it like the rest of them. Except he hasn't a chance."

"A bit harsh?"

"He's been walking around with his hand in your pocket for ages. You've been a soft touch, but I've met his type before, I've spent sixteen years dealing with these sort of people, payback time."

"You're the boss."

"Thank you. A couple of others in for a shock too… Now back to our other little problem. Shoes, you've got no grey shoes, so I thought these black ones, three-inch heel and tan panty hose."

"Sounds good."

"Let me do your nails, then we'll have dinner. Do you have any appointments tomorrow?"

"Nothing planned. Kelly could take care of anything that crops up. I can hide in my office all day or change for that matter. Anyway I'll have to bring you home."

"Not necessary, I'll stay and watch. I'd like to see what happens in the halls of mystical glamour."

"Okay. Bring a book to read, can get a bit boring. No excitement and glamour on offer tomorrow."

"You turning up dressed will take care of that I think."

"Yeah… you're right about that." I replied staring at the ceiling.

Laura busied herself doing my nails. She then removed the burgundy polish I always wore on my toenails and did them in the same colour as my fingernails. We shared a bottle of wine with dinner and she told me of her findings in her new job, before an early night for bed.

Chapter Fifty Eight

After a restless night, I was in the shower well before six. Once dry, I commenced my makeup at the vanity. My thoughts were starting to unnerve me, and was having trouble concentrating on the task at hand. On one hand I had always wondered what it would be like to go to work dressed, now it was a certainty, I wasn't sure that I wanted to or needed to know.

Makeup completed, I stood and perfumed my naked body, then started to dress in my underwear, false boobs next, panty hose. Laura came in to the bedroom as I put on the blouse, "You okay." She asked.

"Really really nervous." I replied.

"I can imagine, but look on the bright side, it wont get any easier if you wait a week or a month."

"Maybe it would be best not to tell them at all." I said hopefully.

"I think you have gone too far for that. Anyway Cindy probably would just blurt it out. I'm not saying she would be malicious, at least this way you have some control."

"Yeah, you're right, and it wouldn't be any easier telling them in male mode." I said as I pulled up the skirt and straightening it.

"Breakfast?"

"God no, I don't think I could hold it down. Thanks." I replied as stepped in to the heels and pulled on the jacket.

Seven fifteen saw us heading down the driveway and in to the melee called peak hour. Laura had numerous files with her, but she wouldn't elaborate on their purpose. Fifty-five minutes later I turned in to the car park. John or Cindy's cars weren't in their usual spots and I breathed a sigh of relief, it gave me a chance to get up stairs and in to my office.

Upstairs, I turned on the computers on and cleared the fax of the overnight junk. Laura made herself comfortable at the spare terminal next to Kelly's desk, which had been installed for future expansion. "Don't get too comfortable."

Laura looked up with a question.

"Danielle normally sits there."

Laura smiled "I have seniority, anyway she's at Kim's."

I laughed, a laugh I desperately needed. "The reason Danielle likes sitting there is because of the person who sits at the next desk."

"Oh. Kelly."

"Yes. Kelly, who is due soon."

"Coffee or tea?" Laura asked.

After, help yourself though." I replied. I heard someone enter downstairs, it sounded like John.

Laura looked at me, "John." I replied to the unspoken question. He rarely came upstairs, usually only when the bank hiccupped and his pay didn't go in, otherwise he called me down.

Five minutes later, I heard the door again. This time the footsteps came up the stairs. "Hey boss."

Cindy came around the corner, "Hey boss, you're earlier than… Laura… Hi…"

"Hi Cindy." Laura answered.

"Where's Jeff?"

"Hi Cindy."

"Whaaa…?" she wheeled to my voice. "Shit…" she stammered. "God dam. You…look…well you look..."

This was worth it just to see Cindy lost for words. She stood there shaking her head.

"You gonna tell… them like that?"

"Looks that way."

"Cooolll. I know I saw the photo, but you look terrific. This explains so many little odd things as well."

"Like what?"

"Nothing earth shattering you know, perfume smells, traces of nail varnish. Sometimes I just put it down to my imagination."

"How do you think the others will take it?"

"I don't think they will care. You're a good boss, fair, pay us well; just tell them the way it is. So, Daniel, he was like this too or did you turn him."

"Cindy. For god's sake."

"Sheesh. Just asking."

"Daniel has always had a feminine side, meeting Karen bought it out in to the open." Laura stated.

"That's cool. So you have a girls name too."

"Karen, Karen Elizabeth to be exact."

"Hi Kelly." Cindy called out as she came in to the room.

Kelly looked at Laura and I inquiringly as she answered, "Morning Cindy."

"Kelly this is Danielle's mum Laura."

"Hi, I've heard so much about you." Kelly gushed as she walked over and embraced Laura. A long embrace.

"Hi Kelly." I said as she looked at me.

"This is Karen." Laura introduced.

"My hearing must be going. For a minute there I thought she sounded like Jeff."

"I'm in here too." I answered.

Her jaw dropped, "My god. The magazine article, it was Jeff?" she asked turning to Cindy.

"Yep." Cindy answered.

"Way cool. You look great." She said coming over and hugging me.

"Thanks. I think we better get everybody up here and do all this once, instead of explanations separately." I replied.

"I'll go and get them." Cindy offered heading down the stairs.

"Kathy came in when I did, I haven't seen Charlene." Kelly said.

Cindy returned with the others, and after much head shaking and explanations with Laura standing beside me, it was done. Twenty-five minutes later they headed off to their respective tasks and I collapsed in to my chair.

"Feel better?" Laura asked.

"Not sure, but they took it well."

"Can't complain there." Laura answered. "I'll go and get something to eat, I am starved."

"Me too." I sighed.

 

§§§

 

Laura sat next to Kelly after her morning tea with Karen. She watched Kelly work quickly and methodically. Kelly finished what she was doing and turned to Laura.

"That was a interesting morning."

"Sure was, you okay with it?"

"More than okay with it. You ever had a boss who couldn't keep his hands to himself, constantly touching you?"

"Had my fill, and just not bosses. When you've got boobs this big, men get very inventive to get a touch."

"This is the first job, not that I've had many, that the boss hasn't hit on me or touched me. So the answer to your question is, if a cross dressing boss is the way to get respect, I'm all for it… Have you always been that big?"

"When I got pregnant with Daniel I just ballooned. 16F."

"I'm 10E, been that since I was fourteen."

"How did you go with that problem?" Laura asked, changing the subject.

"I was going to ring you today. Very strange going ons. The money left the account as usual, but it was done manually. The next step was talk to you then Jeff; I couldn't imagine it not set up as a periodical payment. But anything Annette did doesn't make sense. If there was a long way to do something, she knew it."

"What happened next?"

"I checked with the bank, the money was transferred to an sub account attached to the main account. It's basically a savings account."

"Who owns the account?"

"Starburst."

"What." Laura exclaimed.

"We're going have to talk to Jeff now. I've looked on the Internet banking site for the icon, at first I couldn't see it, but it was hidden amongst all the payee icons."

"Can you show me?"

"Sure." Kelly logged on and brought up the banking page and showed it to Laura.

"Bring up the account details."

"How far back?" Kelly asked.

"Far as it will go."

Kelly complied.

"There it is, five months of payments. Look, somebody has been accessing it recently, five hundred dollars at a time, every week or so." Laura observed. "Time to involve Je… I mean Karen."

"I think so." Kelly agreed.

 

§§§

 

"Karen, do you have a minute." Laura asked.

"Sure, I'll just save this and be right with you… You know what I forgot to do this morning?"

"What?"

"Bring Jeff clothes."

"Why, you look fine."

"What if someone drops by and wants to talk to me?"

"We'll worry about if it happens."

"I guess we'll have to. What's the problem?"

"Need you to come and look at the banking site and verify something."

"Sure."

Laura led me out to Kelly's desk. She explained what had led to this point and where they were up to and then showed me an account that I had no knowledge of. "Ideas?" I asked.

"Well the theory I have," Laura started, "Is that Annette had an account raised and ATM card issued with out your knowledge, transferred the money each month and is now quietly siphoning off the money in small amounts. I bet if we check all these withdrawals, they're all in another state and not necessarily in South Australia as she told you."

"I like that, it all fits." Kelly said.

"How much is missing?" I asked.

"She's pulled eight thousand dollars out so far and going by the dates she's due today or tomorrow." Kelly confirmed.

"See if it will let you transfer it back to the main account. Then get the account cancelled as soon as, and then we better change all the passwords."

"Okay. Done." Kelly clicked the mouse a couple of times, typed the amount and clicked 'confirm'. "Yes." She said punching the air. Take that you fat bitch… Sorry did I say that."

We all laughed.

"Good work girls." I congratulated.

"Are you going to tell the police?" Laura asked.

"I really don't know, she didn't get completely away with it. It's a small sum really. Why would you risk jail for seventeen grand, they give you credit cards for that much these days." I observed.

"She didn't have to repay it." Laura answered. Laura's logic was to pass what we knew to the police. She had been desperate for money over the years, but had never resorted to stealing. She decided to make it her project and would take care of it.

The day quickly came to a close; the girls came to me as a group and gave me words of support and a hug. John was wary, but then he was wary of anything that didn't involve a camera. The girls decided on a girl's night out, me included, after the catalogue and music video of course.

We locked up, Laura and Kelly embraced, another long embrace. We drove in silence till the M2, caught up in our own thoughts.

"So how did you enjoy your day in the halls of mystical glamour?" I asked.

"I really enjoyed myself, I guess I enjoy the interaction with other people. I've enjoyed the break at home, but today was great. I might come down more often."

"That's no problem, I'll get you a laptop and you can just decide where you want to be for the day."

"Now that would be great, it was good just to chat and stuff. Kelly's a great kid, very with it. A great asset."

"She takes a lot away from me when I'm busy, and a big help. You two seem to hit it off?"

"Yeah. I think that was why I enjoyed today so much, female company. I miss that. Whoops, I didn't mean that to sound like that."

"I know what you meant. Like I said, it's up to you."

Evening turned to night. At eight o'clock the phone rang. A very nervous and distraught woman was on the other end. After twenty questions, I was finally able to work out that she was Margaret's sister, it was her son she had found dressed in her clothes. After an hour on the phone, Emily, had relaxed considerably. I gave her the condensed version of transvestism and transsexualism. I also pointed out that she wasn't the first mother to find her son dressed and wouldn't be the last. I gave her some websites and phone numbers for some free counselling.

We were saying our goodbyes, when she asked if I would talk to her son. He desperately wanted to talk to someone, someone who would understand. I agreed to, although I pointed out that I wasn't actually the best person to do it. After a glimpse of myself in the mirror, Karen looked back. I shrugged, maybe I was.

I could hear the phone being carried to some where in the house, a brief conversation ensued, then a timid, "Hello."

"Hi, I'm Jeff."

"Um… I'm Curtis. Hi."

"I gave your mum some contacts and stuff."

"That's cool."

This was going to be hard work. Do I hit him between the eyes with it or dance with him. "Um… Curtis, how do you feel?"

"Fine I think… I guess not so fine… I'm worried about what's going to happen. But you probably wouldn't really understand."

"Oh I understand perfectly." Gloves off. "You like to dress as a girl, you feel guilty when you do it, but it doesn't matter how long you don't do it, you eventually have to dress. You love the feel of the clothes, you love to smell pretty and look pretty. Am I getting close?"

There was deathly silence for a minute "You've read books on this?"

"Yes I've read lots of things, but, what I'm about to tell you, I want this to be our secret, you can't tell your mum or anyone else for that matter. Not at the moment anyway."

"Okay."

"My name is Karen. At the moment I'm dressed, and my fiancée is in the lounge room watching television."

"She… she knows? She understands. Oh wow. And a girl's name. I wish I could call myself Becky. Did you see The Italian Job… the cable girl, when I saw that, I wanted to be called Becky."

"Okay Becky. Now we understand each other. How do you feel?"

"Um… I like to dress as a girl, I love it."

Once the floodgates had been opened, I couldn't stop her and we talked for another hour. Eventually we said goodnight, my parting remark to Becky was to ring me whenever she wanted.

I hung up and sighed. Nice kid I thought, hell, twenty years ago that was me.

Laura came looking for me, "Got a new girl friend?"

"Yep." I explained the last two hours, briefly as possible, then we readied ourselves for bed.

The next morning, dressing for work was quite an anticlimax compared to yesterday. Jeans and a white polo shirt, breakfast with Laura, then on to the studio.

Everybody settled back in to their jobs, as if yesterday hadn't happened. Which I was grateful for; and we settled in to a routine week. Thursday I had a call from Jeremy. After a quick catch up and an appreciation of Laura and Danielle, we started to reminisce.

"So Jeff, being one of the few contractors who took royalties instead of wages on that movie we did, how did you go? Christ it was what, thirteen years ago?"

"Be about that, give or take. Became a bit of a cult classic, they're releasing it in China next year, apparently the dubbing is underway as we speak."

"Yeah I heard, so you backed a winner on the royalties then?"

"You haven't changed, yes Jeremy, I did okay, more than okay."

"Glad to hear it, you deserve it."

"Thank you."

"But that's not the reason I rang. Listen, I don't know what contract you've got with Sam, or if you've got a contract. This is just a warning; the word is Sam's got no money. I've heard Tax office and Sam's name in the same sentence. Anyway, somehow he's managed to bank roll it with Sal's money, he's got all the cheques I've noticed so far."

"Not all is right in paradise?"

"Far from it, after the limo left Saturday with the girls, Sam and Sal had a bit of a blue*. Sam stewed all the way back to the city, couldn't get a peep from him."

"Great. We didn't want to go with this, but he wouldn't let it go, sent us bloody mad. Easter, I couldn't turn on my phone with out talking to him."

"Yeah, that makes sense, well then way I see it, ever since Sam signed on your girl, the money tightened up, big time. Which brings me to the reason for the call, have they told you where they're doing most of the shoot?"

"No actually."

"Do you know the old goods yard at Wilson Street, Redfern?"

"Know of it, pretty ancient from memory."

"We're talking hundred years or better here, anyway, Sam's organised one caravan for the boys and any one else. I was flat out getting a bloody caravan for myself. Here's the rub, he's expecting Danielle to share with those boys."

"In his fucking dreams." I spluttered.

"I guessed that. So unless you have a very flexible contract, I would organise your own caravan, trailer or whatever. I wont tell you what was said after the limo left the other day, it wasn't nice. Those bastards consider her fair game."

"Thanks for the drum**. I'll get on to that straight away."

"So what's the plan? We're basically waiting on you."

"Sometime Friday week. Got a big catalogue shoot on next week and Danielle is in it."

"Extra practice for those idiots. Altogether now, one after the other. I don't know what I've got myself in to, I can tell you" Jeremy snorted.

"Sounds like fun."

"Believe me it ain't, it's a bloody punish… We'll have a drink after this; I'm going to need one… Tell me, is your sister married?"

"Yes."

"Thought I saw a ring. Pity. Your fiancée is a doll too."

"Thanks."

"Got to go. See you next week."

"See ya." I hung up the phone. I replayed the conversation in my head. This was getting out of hand. Clicking on the Internet, I did a search for motor homes, I had a thought of a Winnebago would be useful. Half-hour later, I had booked a vehicle. There was no way Danielle was going to be left alone with those creeps. Both Laura and myself were going to be there, hang the expense.

 

End of Part 13 (to be continued)

*slang for argument or fight, large or small, you can have a bit of a blue, someone can put on a blue.

**slang for information, someone gives you the drum, they're giving you good information.

 

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  

  

  

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